Hertfordshire is host to a selection of extremely good primary and secondary schools. Some secondary schools have a ‘partially selective’ entrance criteria, being keen to support either academic or musical ability through a focused approach. Great examples are: Watford Grammar School for Girls; Watford Grammar School for Boys; Hockerill Anglo-European College in Bishop’s Stortford; Dame Alice Owen’s School in Potter’s Bar; Sandringham School; and Loreto College in St Albans.

With regard to the independent sector, excellent schools of particular note are: Aldwickbury prep school for boys in Harpenden; Haberdashers Aske School for Boys and Haberdashers Aske School for Girls in Elstree; St Albans School for Boys and St Albans High School for Girls; Tring Park School for the Performing Arts; Berkhamsted School; Merchant Taylors School for boys and Royal Masonic School for girls in Rickmansworth.

With its proximity to the capital, Hertfordshire enjoys excellent travel links. Four main lines connect the county with London, the Midlands, and the north of England. In the smaller villages that have a secondary station, you’re still only an hour away from London. But places like Watford, however, will get you into the heart of the city within twenty minutes. Depending on which side of the county

you’re living, you’ll have fast access to either Liverpool Street, Moorgate, St Pancras, Kings Cross, or Euston. The capital is your oyster. And in the reverse direction, you can head out to Birmingham, Milton Keynes, Leicester, Peterborough etc. with ease.

The spokes of the road network also offer you great travel flexibility. Both the M1 and the A1(M) cut straight through, the M11 edges up the eastern side, and the M25 touches to the south. You also have the benefit of the A-road network which provides excellent access across and out of the county with the A10, A41, and A414. Plus there are a range of comprehensive bus services that can make life easy for those who don’t wish to drive themselves.

Travel by air is well-accommodated by Luton Airport just across the border in Bedfordshire, and Stansted in Cambridgeshire. And of course Heathrow and Gatwick are easily accessible as well.

We’ve already mentioned the magnificent countryside across the whole county, but it really can’t be over-emphasised; it is a breath-taking place to live. Whether your preference is walking, cycling, horse riding, or canal boating… there are opportunities galore for you to enjoy.

Significantly sized areas managed by the National Trust provide a plethora of walks and historic estates to explore, for example the Ashridge Estate and Hatfield Forest. But the larger towns also provide well-managed park areas, for example the award-winning Verulamium Park in St Albans.

And for those who get a thrill from getting up close to our historical heritage, there are plenty of opportunities to while away your time. There’s St Albans and its Roman background, Berkhamsted with its medieval castle, Hatfield House connecting visitors to the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras, and Henry Moore’s studios and gardens in Perry Green.

And we of course have to mention fun for the kids too, with entertainment such as Whipsnade Zoo just across the border in Bedfordshire, Paradise Wildlife Park in Broxbourne, and the Butterfly World Project in St Albans. Plus there are plenty of working farms and outdoor activity groups and centres to put smiles on their faces.

At Stacks we’ve helped many people, including families, up-sizers, downsizers, and retirees, find the property of their dreams. Why are we so good at what we do? Because we understand just how much is involved in narrowing down a location, trawling through the market, and then making sense of a mountain of information… and we do it all. With our time and knowledge at your disposal, we’ll help you find:

• The best properties to suit your budget and taste
• The ideal lifestyle to suit your interests
• The easiest access to maintain and enjoy family connections as well as get to work

If you’d like to discuss your plans further and perhaps understand how Hertfordshire might just be the ideal location for you, then give Rachel a call on +44 (0)7502 406688 or Nick on +44 (0)7775 724990.